Pump



Jan. 11, 1966 D. F. CORSE-ITE 3,228,347

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ATTORNEYS Jan. 11, 1966 D. F. CORSETTE PUMP 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. 24, 1965 TL MQ F/G. 4

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PUMP

Filed 001;. 24, 1965 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 H6. 8 F/G. 7

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"le "la INVENTOR, @0l/GLAS 6019557775 BY idw/M, 7AM@ f Mm ATTORNEYS United States Patent Oiice 3,228,347 Patented Jan. 11, 1966 3,228,347 PUMP Douglas F. Corsette, Los Angeles, Calif., assigner to Calmar, luc., City of Industry, Calif., a corporation of Caiifornia Filed Oct. 24, 1963, Ser. No. 38,683 16 Claims. (Cl. 10S-178) This invention relates to improvements in reciprocating pumps generally and more particularly to improvements in such pumps of the type which are adapted for use as uid dispensers on portable containers.

In pumps of this type as heretofore known it has been customary for purposes of economy to form the parts of the pump insofar as possible of plastic material and to arrange and relate the parts in a manner to facilitate their assembly. Notwithstanding this it has been custornary for lack of a practicable substitute, to employ gravity actuated metal ball valves as the pump valves, even despite their small size, expense and the difficulty of assembling them into the pump structure, as well as the fact that such valves generally must conform to a quite small range of tolerance both as to size and shape without adversely aiecting the pump operation.

Moreover it has been known in such prior pumps to provide for positively maintaining the pump inlet valve seated when the plunger is fully depressed in order to prevent loss of the container contents through the pump in the event the pump and its container are roughly handled or inverted during shipment.

The present invention has been conceived with the above primary factors in mind and accordingly includes among its primary objects: to provide an improved pump structure in which the valves as well as all other parts of the structure except the spring may readily be formed of usual exible resilient plastic material; to provide such an improved pump structure in which the valves or one of them may effect a positive seal for the dispensing or outlet passage of the pump when the pump plunger is at either extremity of its stroke. Thus the containers to which the pumps are applied may be safely shipped with the plungers either in their fully depressed condition or in their fully projected positions. In the latter case, the means for holding the plunger in its depressed condition may be omitted and the projected plunger portion covered by a usual protective cap secured on the container.

It is a further important object of the invention to provide suitable driving connections between the inlet and outlet valves and the pump plunger in a manner to operate the valves independently of gravity, so that the pump may function in any position.

It is a further extremely important object or' the invention to so form the several component parts of the pump structure that they comprise a minimum number of parts and are capable of assembly by a minimum number of operations. Thus in accordance with the invention the several parts are so formed that the plunger, valves and spring may be readily assembled merely by insertion in proper sequence into the pump cylinder through its open end, and then, by being pressed toward and against the closed end of the cylinder, the several relatively movable parts may be operatively interconnected to limit their subsequent retraction movement.

In accordance with a specic feature of the invention, there is employed a novel construction of inlet valve for the pump, in which the movable inlet valve is snap fitted over a retainer element during assembly in such manner that it is thereafter limited to axial movement between predetermined opened and closed positions with respect to its valve seat.

A still further important feature consists in interconnecting or coupling together the inlet and outlet valves of the pump and supporting the outlet valve from the reciprocating plunger in such manner that the motion of the plunger is transmitted through the outlet valve to the inlet valve and the valves mutually govern each others operation at dierent points or phases of the plunger movement.

ln accordance with a still further feature of the invention, means are provided for establishing a positive coupling between the said valves at the opposite extremities of the plunger movement, whereby to positively seat one of said valves to prevent passage of fluid through the pump.

Further objects and features of the invention will be apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings showing preferred embodiments of the invention.

In the accompanying drawings:

FIGURE 1 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view of a dispenser of the type described, illustrating the application thereto of the inventive principles, the pump plunger in this view being shown in its fully retracted position at the end of its suction stroke.

FIGURE 2 is a view similar to FIGURE 1 exceptthat the plunger is here shown as it appears when locked or maintained in its fully projected or depressed condition.

FGURE 3 is an enlarged cross section on the line 3 3 of FIGURE 2.

FIGURES 4, 5 and 6 are relatively enlarged fragmentary sections through a modilied pump structure, taken on the same planes and with the parts in the same operative positions respectively as FIGURES 1, 2 and 3.

FIGURES 7 and S are views similar to FIGURES 4 and 5 respectively but showing a third modication of the invention; and

FIGURE 9 is a fragmentary View of the outlet valve of the embodiment of invention illustrated in FIGURES 7 and 8, showing the said valve in full lines in its closed position and in broken lines in its open position.

Referring now in detail to the accompanying draw ings, and rst considering the structure shown in FIG- URES l, 2 and 3, there is illustrated in said iigures a dispensing pump including a. pump barrel 10 which in the present instance extends through and is supported by a radially enlarged and internally threaded collar portion 11 within the central opening of a container closure 12 which is adapted by internal threading 14 or otherwise for application to a container for any type or class of fluid materials to be dispensed. The specific form and construction of the closure 12 and collar 1l, and the manner in which they are interconnected is fully 4disclosed in the co-pending application of Douglas F. Corsette and Rex C. Cooprider, Serial No. 122,585, led July 7, 1961, and now Patent No. 3,128,018, as well as in my prior Patent No. 3,084,873. It will be seen that the cylinder 1li has an inlet port or passage 16 opening axially through its otherwise closed inlet end. The port is defined by an upward extension of the suction tube 18 which depends -from the pump cylinder 10 and is of suliicient length that its lower end will normally be disposed closely adjacent the bottom of the container in which the pump is employed, so that the container contents may be sucked upwardly through the tube 18 and into the pump cylinder.

At its opposite end, the pump cylinder 10 opens through the radially enlarged collar l1 for reception of various portions of the pump assembly, including a pump plunger 20 which is disposed for reciprocation in the cylinder. This plunger 20 includes a hollow tubular plunger rod portion 22 having a piston 24 at its innermost end in fluid tight reciprocating engagement with the interior wall surface of the cylinder 10. Preferably the plunger, including the plunger rod 22 and piston 24, is molded of a suitable plastic material to form a unitary structure. It will be seen that the piston 24 cooperates with the cylinder to define a variable volume pump chamber 26 between the piston and the closed end of the cylinder through which enters the inlet port 16.

An inlet valve 28 is disposed in the pump chamber for limited axial movement into and from seating relation with an axially presented valve seat 30 encircling the inlet port 16. This valve, in addition to its other functions hereinafter described, serves the usual functions of admitting iluid into the pump chamber 26 through the inlet port 16 while effectively preventing the egress of fluid therefrom. The discharge or outlet passage 30 for the pump is defined by the hollow plunger 22, this passage extending completely through the plunger rod 22 and the piston 24 to deliver fluid under pressure from the pump chamber to a suitable discharge head 32, carried at the upper or outer end of the plunger rod and having a suitable passage 33 which establishes communication between the discharge passage 30 and the discharge orice or outlet 34 of the discharge head 32. The discharge head 32 is provided with a linger piece 35 to facilitate actuation of the pump, and has an externally threaded base 36 for reception in the internally threaded collar 11, when desired, to secure the plunger in its fully depressed position, as shown in FIGURE 2. The particular form of discharge head 32 herein illustrated constitutes no part of the present invention but merely exemplifies any suitable type of discharge head or outlet, the illustrated form of such discharge head being similar to that disclosed in my prior Patent No. 3,084,873.

As is usual, the cylinder is provided with one or more breather openings 38 near its upper end and in a position to be covered by the piston 24 only at the uppermost limit of the stroke of the latter. The function of such opening 38 is the usual one of preventing the formation of an air lock in the cylinder above the piston 24 during reciprocation of the latter.

At a suitable location adjacent a lower or inner end of the passage 30 the latter is formed with a radially inwardly projecting annular rib 40, the inner periphery of which denes an outlet valve port. The outer axial face of rib 40 defines a preferably conical valve seat 42 for cooperation with the outlet valve 44. A helical coil spring 46 of generally cylindrical configuration coaxially encircles both of the valves 28 and 44 and is resiliently axially compressed between the annular rib 40 of piston 24 and an annular spring seat 48 in the inner end of the cylinder. It is desirable that the two seats 30 and 48 be somewhat axially offset from each other to leave an encircling axial wall 50 adapted to snugly receive the lower end portion of the inlet valve 28 as the latter is seated and thereby to contribute to its fluid tightness by preventing it from spreading radially under the influence of uid pressure within valve 28.

The inlet end of the cylinder 10 also is formed internally with a conical guide surface 52 coaxially surrounding and converging toward the spring seat 48 to guide the spring accurately and concentrically onto its seat as the latter is assembled by axial insertion into the cylinder.

Further it is desirable to provide the inner end of the cylinder 10 with an annular sealing groove 54 which coaxially encircles the spring guide surface 52 for snug sealing reception of the free inner end of a cylindrical skirt 56 constituting part of the piston 24 and projecting inwardly in advance of the main body of the piston 24.

The retraction or suction stroke of the piston under the influence of the spring 46 will be limited by engagement between the trailing rear end edge of the skirt 56 and an annular radially inwardly projcting boss or rib 58, which is formed by a suitable swaging operation after assembly of the plunger and other parts Within the cylinder 10, all as is more fully explained in the earlier referred to application and in my prior Patent No. 3,084,873.

With the structure as thus far described, it will be apparent that nger pressure applied in an axial direction on the finger piece 35 of the discharge head 32 will urge the entire plunger 20 inwardly on its compression stroke and that upon release of said nger pressure the spring 46 will then return the plunger outwardly on its suction or retraction stroke. The valves 28 and 44 are so arranged as to permit fluid t0 be drawn into the pump chamber 26 by suction on the suction stroke of the plunger and to be forced outwardly therefrom through the discharge passage 30 on the compression stroke of the plunger.

Inasmuch as important aspects of the invention reside in the specic construction and arrangement of the inlet and outlet valves, a more detailed consideration will now be given to the said valves as illustrated in FIGURES l, 2 and 3.

First referring to the outlet valve 44, it will be seen that same is disposed for free axial movement through the outlet valve port 46 within the plunger 20. This valve 44 is provided with a generally auxially presented conical seat 68 adapted to seat in iluid tight engagement against the mating seat 42 around the valve port 40. In axially spaced relation from the enlarged end of the valve which bears the seat 60, is a similarly shaped annular shoulder 62 adapted to abut against the inner ends of a stop sleeve or extension 64 surrounding the port 40 and constituting a portion of the piston 24. Thus the outlet valve 44 is free to move axially through the port 40 between the limits shown in FIGURES l and 2, respectively, it being seen in FIGURE l that the valve 44 is seated in the port 4G while in FIGURE 2 it is fully unseated and its unseating movement limited by interengagement between the annular shoulder 62 on the valve and the stop sleeve 64 on the piston. Preferably the opposite axial ends of the valve 44 are symmetrically arranged with respect to a central radial plane therethrough to permit reversal 0f the valve.

Between its relatively axially `opposed enlargements 60 and 62, the relatively reduced cylindrical portion of the valve body 44 is provided with a series of generally axially extending grooves 66 through which the iluid may move upwardly from the pump chamber and through port 40 into the outlet passage 30 When the outlet valve is unseated as in FIGURE 2. In order to facilitate the access of fluid to these grooves, the stop sleeve 64 is provided with radially outwardly ope-ning ports or passageways 68.

The inlet valve 28 is provided with an axially outwardly extending valve stem '70 which is xed thereto and which is slidably received within they passage 30 and port 4i) in the plunger 2t).

In accordance with an important aspect of the invention means are provided within said opening for yieldably interconnecting the valve stern 70 and the plunger 20 for axial movement together for a limited distance near the inception of each reciprocating stroke of the plunger, whereby to coordinate the operation of the plunger and the inlet valve.

In the instant embodiment this yielding connection between the plunger 2t) and the inlet valve 70 is of the frictional type and the means for achieving same advantageously include the outlet valve 44, whereby the movements of both valves may be coordinated with the plunger and with each other in a manner to render the pump structure fully operative in any position, whether upright or wholly or partially inverted.

Thus in the present embodiment the inlet valve 28 iS in the form of a sleeve. The generally cylindrical valve stem 70 of the inlet valve 28 is snugly and frictionally slidablydisposed through the said sleeve to yieldably transmit the movement of the sleeve-like valve 44 through the stem 70 to the inlet valve 2S. Obviously this arrangement will permit som lost motion between the plunger and inlet valve 28 incident to seating or unseating of the outlet valve 44- at the inception of each stroke as the case might be. This lost motion is utilized to produce a suck back action as explained more fully hereinafter.

While the frictional drive as thus far described may be relied upon completely for the controlling of the inlet valve 28 it has been found desirable to provide the valve stem 7i? with one or more radial protuberances 72 positioned to abut against the outer end of the valve 44 at the extremity of its outward or suction stroke. Such a protuberance may be in the form of an annular ring or rib to thus serve by its abutment with the adjoining end of the valve 44 to provide a seal at this end of the valve resisting leakage of iiuid upwardly or outwardly' between the valve and valve stem 70` The valve 44 will normally be formed of a material, for instance a suitable plastic such as polyethylene or polypropylene having sufficient deformability and elasticity to permit assemblage of the valve 44 onto the valve stem 7@ by force tting it or axially pressing it over the protuberance 72.

Now considering the inlet valve 23 in more detail, it will be apparent that same is of inverted cup-like configuration. Also it will be seen that in the instant embodiment the stern 7G has a hollow interior communicating with the hollow interior of the cup-like valve 2S, simply for the purpose of providing some degree of exibility to facilitate its withdrawal from the mold and its subsequent assembly with other parts in the manner hereinatfer described, while also effecting a reduction in the amount of material required to form these parts` At its free inner end, the valve 2S is formed with a radially inwardly projecting annular retaining rib 74 adapted to be snap fitted over the cooperating radially outwardly presented lugs or projections 76 at the free ends of the resiliently radially detiectable retainers or fingers '73. It will be readily seen 'that the said .fingers in the present embodiment constitute integral portions of the tubular extension of the suction tube I8 inwardly from the inlet valve port 3u, these fingers 78 being separated from each other .by axial slots 79 which function as ports for permitting entry of the tluid from the suction tube I8 into the pump chamber 26 when the valve 23 is unseated as in FIGURE l.

It will be seen that the projections or lugs 76 of the retainer iingers 78 are spaced axially a sufhcient distance from the valve seat 3G to permit free telescoping movement of the valve 2S over the said fingers between its open or unseated position against the projections 76, as seen in FIGURE l, and its seated or closed position as shown in FIGURE 2 in which the free open end of the valve 2S is snugly received in and radially confined byengagement with the annular wall 48 with its end edge abutting in sealing relation against the seat 353.

In the operation of a dispensing pump as above described, commencing with the parts positioned as in FIG- URE axial finger pressure applied against the finger piece 3S ofthe discharge head w'dl produce a downward or compression stroke ofthe plunger toward the position illustrated in FIGURE 2, though normally the abutting engagement between the threads 3S on the discharge head and within the internally threaded collar Ill will interrupt such downward movement somewhat before the parts assume completely the positions shown in FIGURE 2. As such compression stroke commences, even though the container and pump be inverted or partially inverted so that the valve 28 cannot be moved inwardly by gravity, the relative movement of the plunger 2t) with respect to the outlet valve 44 will iirst bring the shoulder 62 of the outlet valve into abutting driving engagement with the piston 24 around the valve port 4t). Thereafter, continued compression movement of the plunger will be frictionally transmitted by the outlet valve 44, through stem 70, to the inlet valve 2S to seat the latter against valve seat 30.

Thus, incident to the initial movement of the plunger, the outlet valve 44 will have been opened and the inlet valve 28 will have been seated or closed. The ensuing completion of the plunger stroke will force upwardly through the valve i4 and port 4h any fluid entrapped within the pump chamber 26 and such uid will be delivered outwardly through the plunger passage 30 to and through the discharge head 32.

Following completion of the compression stroke of the plunger 2t), linger pressure on the linger piece 35 is released, whereupon the plunger is then projected outwardly through its suction stroke by action of the spring 46. At the very inception of the suction stroke the valves will be in the positions just described, and substantially as illustrated in FIGURE 2 except that interference between the threaded portions 11 and 35 will not have permitted the piston skirt 56 to enter its sealing groove 54 as shown in FIGURE 2.

During the initial portion of the suction stroke, both valves 28 and 44 will normally remain in their positions as illustrated in FiGURE 2, until the plunger has moved suiiiciently for the outlet valve seat 42 to engage and seat against the outlet valve surface 60. Thus there is a relative inward movement of the outlet valve 44 through its port 4t), during which movement this valve acts in the manner of a loosely fitting piston within the passage 30 to suck back any iiuid emerging from the discharge head through its orifice 34 and thereby to prevent dripping.

As the valve 44 is fully seated in port 40, as shown in FIGURE l, it will then be in positive driven engagement with its plunger 20, and during continuance of the suction stroke of the plunger will then transmit a frictional drive through the valve stem 70 to the inlet valve 2S to urge the latter to its open position as shown in FIGURE 1. When the valve Z8 reaches its fully open position, the abutting engagement between the snap ribs or projections '74 and 76 will prevent its continued movement, and the frictional connection between the stem 7@ and valve 44 will then permit slippage or yielding between these parts for the balance of the suction stroke.

In the event the outlet valve 44 should have become stuck or impeded in its action in any manner, the inlet valve 2g will then open before the outlet valve 44 is seated, and the arresting of the unseating movement of the inlet valve by the snap ribs 74 and 76 will transmit a frictional holding force by way of the valve stem 70` to the outlet valve 44 to maintain the latter stationary until the valve seat 42 of the plunger closes against its seating surface 60.

Sealing means It is important in a dispensing pump or device of the type herein described that it be possible to safely ship filled containers, with the dispensing devices applied, without danger of the escape of Athe container contents incident to rough handling or inversion. It has been known in the past to provide a dispensing device of this general type with sealing means which are actuated by locking the plunger in a fully depressed or inwardly projected position. The present invention achieves this end, and further includes provision for sealing means which become effective under the action of the spring 45 at the conclusion of each suction stroke of the plunger for eectively preventing leakage either through the valves and fluid passages or between the .plunger and cylinder walls.

To lock the plunger in its fully depressed condition as shown in FIGURE 2, there is provided a known arrangement such as illustrated in my prior Patent No. 3,084,873 in which the plunger discharge head 32 has an externally threaded base 36 for engagement with the internally E" threaded collar 11 at the upper or outer end of the cylinder 10. When these threaded members 11 and 36 are interengaged to hold the plunger in fully depressed condition as in FIGURE 2 an axially projecting annular sealing rib 39 on the plunger discharge head 32 abuts in sealing relation against the shoulder 41 within the collar 11 and also if desired there may be provided the interengaging sealing n 43 on the plunger discharge head for operative engagement with th eaXially presented sealing conical surface 45 at the upper or outer end of the collar 11. These means 39, 41 and 43, 45 provide seals between the plunger and cylinder for resisting leakage fluid between these members in a manner heretofore known.

At the same time, the sealing reception of the piston skirt 56 in groove 54, positively prevents any leakage of fluid from the pump chamber 26 past the piston, and this is belived to constitute one of the novel features of the invention.

When the plunger is retained in its fully depressed position by interengagement of the threaded members 11 and 36, as shown in FIGURE 2, there is a further novel cooperation between the parts, particularly the valves, to establish effective seals for preventing escape of fluid upwardly through the pump passage 30.

Thus referring to FIGURE 2 it will be seen that in such depressed condition of the plunger the fully open outlet valve 44 will have its abutment 62 positively engaged by the stop element 64 of the plunger and will thus transmit a seating pressure directly from the plunger to the inlet valve 28 to maintain the latter positively seated around the inlet port 16. In this position of the plunger the annular radially inner rib or abutment 58 of the pump cylinder will be snug uid tight engagement with a relatively enlarged portion ZA of the plunger, thus dening an eifective seal which acts together with the seals at 39, 41 and 43, 45 to provide a multiplicity of successive seals for .preventing escape of fluid preferably from between the plunger and cylinder.

Normally where the plunger is to be depressed in order to seal the pump for shipping purposes, it will be thus depressed and its seals actuated as in FIGURE 2 befor the pump has been primed to bring uid into the pump chamber 26 or into the passage 30. Due to the inability of uid to reach the pump chamber and passage 3i) after the seals are actuated by the depression of the plunger, as in FIGURE 2, the danger of any leakage of tiuid through the pump chamber and discharge passage is effectively minimized. However, even in the event the device shall have been used and the pump primed, any leakage which might occur will be limited to thermal expansion of such liquid as has entered the pump chamber and/ or passge 3) before actuating of the seals.

In the fully projected position of the plunger as in FIG- URE l the upper or outer end of the piston skirt 56 will have moved beyond the breather opening 3S in the cylinder wall to prevent passage of fluid outwarldy from this opening.

In order to prevent leakage of uid outwardly through the valves and the uid passage of the plunger, when the plunger is in its fully projected position as in FIGURE l, it will be seen that the inlet valve 28 is at this time immobilized against continued unseating movement by the interengaged snap means or abutments 74 and 76 and also at this time the outward movement of the outlet valve 44 on the valve stem 7@ of valve 28 is restrained by axial abutment of valve 44 with the radial protuberance 72 on the valve stern. Such restraining of the movement of the valve 28 thus results in the exertion of a tensional force through the valve stem 7 0 `and the protuberance 72 to hold the valve 44 seated with respect to the port 40 in the fully projected position of the plunger. Thus leakage of fluid between the valve stem 70 and Valve 44 is resisted not only by the snug frictional engagement between these parts but also by the abutting engagement of the valve 44 with the annular protuberance 72.

Assembly steps Attention is now directed to the fact that the several component parts of the pump structure above described are adapted for assembly in a particularly novel, simple and economical manner, without the necessity for employing solvent, cement or the like. The arrangement is such that the plunger and valves may be wholly assembled for `operative movement in predetermined limited manner primarily by snap or force tting of certain parts past protuberances or enlargements in other parts. The several parts which are thus assembled are formed of a suitable plastic material having resilient flexibility and sufficient elasticity to permit this mode of assembly. It has been found that materials such as polyethylene and polyproplyene are adapted for formation of the several parts.

In assembling the parts to the pump cylinder 10, the formation of the annular retainer rib or boss 58 in this cylinder is deferred until the nal step. With the cylinder 1) held wit-h its open end upwardly, the inlet valve 28 t0- gether with its yunitary stem 79 is first dropped downwardly through the open upper end of the cylinder into a position resting on the upper end of the retainer fingers 78. Following this, the actuating spring 46 is dropped downwardly about the stem 70. It will be guided downwardly in centered relation about the valve 28 by a conical guide surface 82 on the upper end of the valve around the base of the stem 7). Both the lower end of the spring 46 and of the valve 28 therewithin will be axially centered with respect to the cylinder 10 by engagement of the lower end of the spring with the guide surface 52.

The outlet valve 44 is then loosely placed on the upper or free end of the stem 70 above t-he protuberance 72, it being understood that the valve 44 Will be formed of a material having sufficient elasticity that in the final assembly step it may be stretched sufficiently to pass downwardly over the protuberance 72 and thence into snug frictional engagement with the Valve stern 70. It is desirable to form the end of `stem 70 above protuberance 72 of slightly reduced diameter to have a loose t with the valve, as contrasted to the remainder of the stem 70 below protuberance 72 which is proportioned to have a snug frictional t .with the valve. The hollow formation of the stem 70 also permits a certain amount of compensatory of inward yielding of the lugs 7 2 to facilitate this movement.

Subsequently the plunger 20, prior to t-he application thereto of the discharge head 32, is inserted and pressed iirmly downward within the cylinder I@ to its lowermost or innermost position. During its movement to such position, the valve 28 will be forced downwardly beyond the retainer lugs 76 to seat against the valve seat 30, the pressure of the piston 24 against the conical upper end of valve 44 will urge said valve downwardly over the protrusion '72 on the stem to the position in abutting engagement with the valve member 28 as shown in FIGURE 2. Similarly the resulting axial pressure between the piston 24 `and the sloping conical surface 61 (FIGURE 2) of the valve member 44 will force said surface and the upper end of the valve through the port 4l) and to a position in which the downwardly directed edge of the stop sleeve 64 abuts positively against the shoulder 62 of the valve. It is this vabutting engagement between the stop 64 and shoulder 62 which then urges the valve 44 downwardly into abutting engagement with the inlet valve 28 to firmly maintain the latter in closed position.

With the parts thus retained in their position as shown in FIGURE 2, the retaining annular shoulder or rib 58 is formed in the upper end of the barrel or cylinder 10 by a suitable swaging tool which encircles the plunger 20, all as more fully described in my prior Patent No. 3,084,873 and in the above referred to copending application Serial NoA 122,585. The discharge head 32 may subsequently be applied over the open upper end of the hollow plunger rod 22 and secured in operative position by means of the snap rings and grooves 37 as illustrated or by any other suitable means.

In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIG- URES 4, and 6, the construction and operation of the parts is generally similar to that shown and described in connection with FIGURES l through 3 except for slight modification of the outlet valve 44A and certain consequential minor alterations of the inlet valve and plunger to adapt them to this modiiied outlet valve structure. The unchanged parts are designated by the same reference numerals employed in connection wit-h FIGURES l, 2 and 3.

Referring in more detail to FIGURES 4, 5 and 6, the inlet valve 44A as shown in those gures, comprises a medially located cylindrical sleeve portion terminating in its opposite axial ends in outwardly flared conical portions 44B which are arranged symmetrically to be a central radial plane through the valve 44A whereby the same may be reversible in the same manner mentioned in connection with the Valve of the embodiment earlier described. The port 40A within which this valve is disposed for axial movement is provided with a series of radially inwardly projecting ribs 66A, the inner edges of which abut against and guide the valve in its movement.

It will be seen that the upper or outer ends of these radial ribs 66A are spaced below the upper end of the port 40A and that the conical outer end 414B of the valve is proportioned to tit snugly in the upper end opening of the port and against the conformingly inclined ends of the radial guide ribs 66A when the valve is fully seated, to close the outlet port 40A. The lower or innermost ends of the retainer ribs 66A, on the other hand, project out of the port 40A into the relatively larger diameter fluid discharge passage 30A so that when the lower conical end portion 44B of the valve abuts against the said guides, iuid is free to flow upwardly between the adjoining guides and around the outer peripheries of both conical valve portions 44B.

The plunger 20A in this embodiment diilers from that of the earlier described embodiment of FIGURES 1 to 3 inclusive only in the respects above specifically discussed. The pump cylinder in the present embodiment is identical with that of the preceding embodiment and adapted for cooperation with the inlet valve 28A in the same manner hereinbefore described, though the inlet valve is proportioned slightly differently than that of the earlier described embodiment will be apparent. In place of the hollow stem of the earlier embodiment, valve 28A is provided here with a solid valve stem 70A adapted for snug frictional reception in and driving engagement with the sleeve portion of the valve 44A. The upper end of the stem 70A is formed with a generally spherical enlargement 72A.

In this embodiment the mode of assembly is as heretofore described in connection with FIGURES l to 3. The inlet valve 28A and the valve spring 46 may be initially assembled within the cylinder 1) merely by dropping them into position through the open end of the cylinder as in the embodiments heretofore described.

The upper valve 44A may then be dropped onto the upper extremity 72A of the valve stem 70A following which the plunger is applied and pressed down to move the several parts into their assembled relations as in the previous embodiment. The retaining annular rib 58 is then formed by a swaging operation. Subsequent application of the discharge head in known manner completes the assembly.

By reference to FIGURE 5, it may be seen that the inlet valve is snugly received in the lower end of plunger passage SA, in the fully depressed position of the plunger, to thereby provide an additional seal for blocking the outlet passage 30A.

In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIG- URES 7, S and 9, there is disclosed a structure having fewer separately formed parts even than the preceding embodiments, since the outlet valve 440 of the embodiment now described is formed as an integral unitary portion tot the plunger structure. The cylinder 1G of the present embodiment and the wall or inner end portion of the inlet valve 280 insofar as it cooperates with the inlet port 166 similarly remain unchanged over the embodiment rst described, though the proportion and shape of the said inlet valve and valve stem have been changed somewhat to enable them to cooperate in a new and different manner with the modiiied outlet valve 440.

The modified outlet valve 445i is formed as an integral portion of the plunger structure, both being of a resiliently flexible and somewhat elastic material such as polyethylene. The valve 449 comprises a generally annular diaphragm which is tlexibly connected at 441 to the inner wall of the plunger Zilli in fluid tight manner. The diaphragm 440 denes an outwardly converging conical bore 44?. having an elastically enlargeable outwardly presented mouth or lip 44d which is normally in snug sealing and uid tight relation with the lcylindrical stem 7W, being frictionally engaged therewith but relatively axially movable therealong. The arrangement will be seen to be such that during downward or inward movement of the plunger 200 and the valve member 440 along the valve stem 700, the resulting fluid pressure within the conical bore 442 around the stem 7930 will serve to elastically expand the mouth or lip 444 of the valve whereby to provide a clearanceV for the passage of iiuid outwardly into the liuid passage 399. The expansibilty of the Valve member at its mouth 444 will obviously be increased by flexing about its ilexible fulcrum-like connection 441 to the plunger.

On the other hand it will be apparent that on the up or outward suction stroke iluid pressure exerted on the valve 449 from the converging side of the valve, or in other words from the fluid passage 30h, will only tend more tightly to close the valve against the central valve stem 7%() in fluid tight manner.

The relatively enlarged or intake end of the conical diaphragm valve 440 is adapted for snug fluid tight reception of and axial abutment against the conical outer end portion 82d of the inlet valve 2S@ in the fully depressed condition ofthe plunger 20o as shown in FIGURE 8. This engagement in addition to positively seating the inlet valve 280 serves also to positively obstruct and close the valve dll and by the resulting wedging action to contribute to this effect by tending to swing the converging end ot he valve body 44@ about connection ddl into tight radial engagement with the stem Till).

Thus when he plunger is fully depressed in the position shown in FIGURE 8, both the inlet valve 23) and the outlet valve 449 will be positively closed to prevent any upward leakage of duid through them. On the other hand, in the fully projected or outward position of the plunger 200 as shown in FIGURE 7, the outer lip or mouth 444 of the valve 446 abuts against an annular sealing rib 720 formed integrally on the stem 7d@ and which cooperates with the valve to prevent leakage.

Thus in the operation of the device in this modification, starting with the plunger in its outwardly projected position as shown in FIGURE 7, as the plunger moves inwardly on its compression stroke, the yieldable frictional connection defined by the valve 440 and stem 7d() urges the inlet valve 230 int-o seated relation with the seat Stl around inlet port T160. After such seating, continued inward movement .of the plunger will cause yielding of the said frictional connection vand disengagement of the valve 440 from the annular seal or protuberance '720 and the pressure of the iluid within the pump chamber 26 will tend to elastically expand the mouth 444 of the valve to create an annular ow passage between it and the valve stem 700. Thus the Huid will be forced upwardly through the passage 300 in the plunger for discharge through the discharge head in usual manner.

On the intake or suction stroke of the plunger, commencing from a position substantially shown in FIGURE 8, the frictional engagement between the valve 44d and stem 700 will tirst cause the inlet valve 286 to be unyseated from around the inlet port 16 to permit an upward flow .of fluid by suction into the pump chamber 26, it being apparent that the pressure of uid in the passage 360 outwardly of the valve 440 will maintain the latter closed against the valve stem 700.

The present embodiment of the invention also embodies an advantageous mode of assembly in accordance with which, lirst the valve and the spring tot? may be dropped into the cylinder, following which insertion of the plunger 290 axially into the cylinder will force the annular retainer rib 749 into assembled relation past the retainer lugs 76, and will force the sealing ring 720 of the valve stem upwardly through the valve lift-ti.

When the plunger is locked in its fully depressed position, as in lFGURE 8, the lower edge of the piston skirt 56@ will provide a seal in groove 51S, and the inlet valve 289 will be seated through its abutting engagement with outlet valve 44d, at the same time sealing the latter. Thus luid can neither enter nor leave the pump chamber Z6.

When the plunger is -fuily projected by spring 10, the inlet valve will open, out as shown in FIGURE 3, the outlet valve it) will close by its own resiliency around valve stem 700. Where the sealing rib or protuberance 720 is provided on the valve stem, the integrity of the valve closing action will be improved.

In this application there are shown and described only the several preferred embodiments of the invention, but it will be understood that the inventive concept includes such further modifications and alterations, within the scope of the appended claims, as would be obvious to those skilled in the art.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. A pump comprising a pump cylinder having an inlet port opening axially through one end thereof, a plunger disposed for reciprocation in said cylinder and therewith dening a variable volume pump chamber between said plunger and said one end, an inlet valve disposed in said cylinder for limited axial movement into and from seating relation with respect to said inlet port, said plunger being formed with an axial opening therethrough defining part of an outlet passage from said pump chamber, said inlet valve having an axially extending valve stem fixed thereto and -slidably received in said opening, an outlet valve in said `opening surrounding and friotionally slidably engaging said inlet valve stem, means establishing a positive driving connection between said plunger and said outlet valve in both directions of reciprocation of the plunger, and means in said cylinder for limiting the axial unseating movement of said inlet valve.

2. In a fluid pump, the combination comprising a pump cylinder having an inlet port opening axially through one end thereof, a plunger disposed for reciprocation in said cylinder and therewith defining a variable volume pump chamber between said plunger and said one end of the cylinder, an inlet valve disposed in said cylinder for limited axial movement substantially less than the reciprocatory stroke of the plunger into and from seating relation with respect to said inlet port, said plunger being formed with an axial opening therein, said inlet valve having an axially extending valve stem affixed thereto and slidably receive-d in said opening, an outlet valve in said opening surrounding and frictionally slidably engaging said inlet valve stem, and means establishing a positive driving connection between said plunger and -said outlet valve in both directions of reciprocation of the said plunger, whereby to transmit yaxial movement from the plunger to both of said valves to control the oper-ation of said valves.

3. In a reciprocating pump structure, the combination comprising a pump cylinder having an inlet passage communicating with its in-terior through one axial end of said cylinder, .a plunger disposed for axial reciprocation in said cylinder, an inlet valve carried by said plunger for axial movement therewith into and from seating relation with respect to said passage, an axially yieldable driving connection between said plunger and said inlet valve, cooperating abutment means on said cylinder and said inlet valve respectively for limiting the movement of said inlet valve out of seating 4relation with respect to said passage, said driving connection comprising an axially projecting stem iixed to said inlet valve, said opening forming a part of said outlet passage, and an outlet valve in said opening frictionally connected with said valve stem to seat and unseat said inlet valve incident to reciprocation of said plunger.

4. The combination defined in claim 3, including means for establishing positive driving connections between said inlet valve and said plunger incident to continued movement of both in a valve seating direction, whereby to cause positive seating of the inlet valve.

5. In a pump structure comprising a pump cylinder formed at one axial end with an axially directed inlet port and open at its other end, an inlet valve structure comprising an open ended inner valve sleeve of resiliently exible material having one end fixed to said cylinder around said port and having its free end projecting axially into the cylinder, a radially outwardly projecting retainer rib fixed on said inner sleeve adjacent its free end, said cylinder being formed with an axially presented valve seat encircling said inner sleeve, an outer sleeve valve having an axially open free end telescopically disposed over said free end of the inner sleeve for axial seating and unseating movement toward and away from operative engagement with said valve seat, the other end of said outer sleeve valve being closed, and a radially inwardly projecting retainer rib lixedly disposed in said outer sleeve valve adjacent its free end for snap fitting over said retainer rib of the inner sleeve during assembly of said outer sleeve valve and said inner sleeve to subsequently limit the axial unseating movement of said sleeve valve, said inner sleeve and said outer 'sleeve valve being conformed to dene uid passages from the interior of said inner sleeve into the said pump cylinder when said outer sleeve valve is unseated.

6. The combination as defined in claim 5, in which `said inner sleeve is formed with a laterally opening port therethrough positioned to be partially uncovered by said outer sleeve valve in its unseated position.

7. The combination dened in claim 6, in which said outer sleeve valve is of substantially less diameter than the interior of said cylinder, said one end of the cylinder including an axially directed annular spring seat con- -centrically encircling said outer sleeve valve and said valve seat, a coil spring axially slidably encircling said outer sleeve valve and having an end abutting axially against said spring seat, said cylinder being further formed with a conical guide surface coaxially surrounding and converging toward said spring seat to accurately center and axially align the ends of said spring and said outer sleeve valve with said inner sleeve as the spring and outer sleeve valve are moved axially toward and into telescoping relation on the inner sleeve during initial lassembly of said parts, a pump plunger disposed for reciprocation in said cylinder between its said closed and open ends, said plunger comprising a tubular plunger rod having a piston at one end thereof directed toward said inlet valve, said piston being formed with a port therethrough communicating with the interior of said plunger rod and therewith defining -a fluid outlet passage from said pump chamber, said piston comprising la generally cylindrical skirt projecting axially therefrom toward said closed end of the cylinder and in substantially fluid tight engagement with the inner surface of said cylinder, said skirt coaxially encircling yand spaced radially outwardly from said spring at its free end edge, said outer sleeve valve having an axial stem slidably received in said passageway, and means in said passageway frictionally interconnecting said valve stem and said plunger for axial movement together to seat and unseat said inlet valve.

8. A pump comprising a pump cylinder having an inlet port opening axially through one end thereof, a plunger disposed for reciprocation in said cylinder and therewith defining a variable volume pump chamber between said plunger and said one end, an inlet valve disposed in said cylinder for limited axial movement into and from seating relation with respect to said inlet port, said plunger being formed with an axial opening therethrough deiining part of an outlet passage from said pump chamber, said inlet valve having an axially extending valve stem iixed thereto and slidably received received in said opening, an outlet valve disposed for limited axial reciprocation in said opening between open and closed positions, said outlet valve surrounding and yieldably frictionally engaging said valve stem to seat and unseat said inlet valve responsive to reciprocation of said plunger, and means in said cylinder for limiting the axial movement of the inlet valve from seating relation with respect to the inlet port, whereby said frictional engagement between the valve stem and said outlet valve may act to close the latter.

9. 1n a iiuid pump, the combination comprising -a pump cylinder having an inlet port opening axially through one end thereof, a plunger disposed for reciprocation in said cylinder and therewith defining a variable volume pump chamber between said plunger and said one end of the cylinder, an inlet valve disposed in said cylinder for limited axial movement substantially less than the reciprocatory stroke of the plunger into and from seating relation with respect to said inlet port, said plunger being formed with an axial uid outlet passage therethrough, an annular conical diaphragm of ilexible elastic material disposed within said passage and marginally secured in tluid tight manner to the inner wall of said passage, said conical disphragm converging axially away from said inlet port, said inlet valve having an .axially extending valve stem aixed thereto and extending into said passage, said conical diaphragm having an elastically stretchable mouth at is converging end stretched around and frictionally receiving said valve stem.

16. The combination dei-ined in claim 9, in which said inlet valve includes a portion adapted for sealing reception in the diverging end of said conical diaphragm in the fully depressed position or" said plunger `and diaphragm to said said diaphragm against the passage of iiuid and to transmit a positive seating force from the diaphragm to said inlet valve.

11. The combination deiined in claim 9, including an annular sealing rib encircling said valve stern on the converging side of said diaphragm and positioned for sealing abutment with the said mouth of the diaphragm when said inlet valve has reached the limit of its unseating movement and said plunger has reached the end of its stroke in a direction away from said inlet valve seat.

12. In a reciprocating pump structure, the combination comprising a pump cylinder having an inlet passage connecting with its interior Ithrough one axial end of said cylinder, a plunger disposed for axial reciprocation in said cylinder, an inlet valve carried by said plunger for axial movement therewith into and from seating relation with respect to said passage, an axially yieldable driving connection between said plunger and said inlet Valve, cooperating abutment means on said cylinder and said inlet valve respectively rer limiting the movement of said inlet valve away from seating relation with respect to said passage, said driving connection comprising an axially projecting stem fixed to said inlet valve and extending into an axial opening in said plunger, said opening deiining an outlet port, an outlet valve carried by said plunger, for limited axial movement between seated and unseated positions with respect to said port, said outlet valve having an axial opening therethrough frictionally slidably receiving said valve stem and therewith defining a lost motion frictional driving connection between the plunger and the inlet valve.

13. The combination defined in claim 12 in which said plunger is formed with an internal annular rib in its said outlet passage delining said outlet port, said outlet valve including a generally cylindrical medial stem portion having relatively spaced enlargements at its opposite axial ends for abutting engagement with said rib, one of said enlargements being adapted to seat against said rib to close the port, said outlet valve and rib being formed to permit to tlow of fluid through said port when said outlet valve is unseated.

14. The combination defined in claim 13, in which said outlet valve is formed with an axial groove for conducing iiuid through lsaid port in the unseated position of said outlet valve.

i5. The combination defined in claim 13, in which said rib is formed with an axial groove in its inner periphery for conducting uid through said outlet port in the unseated position of said outlet valve.

16. In a fluid pump, the combination comprising a pump cylinder having an inlet port opening axially through one end thereof, a plunger disposed for reciprocation in said cylinder and therewith defining a variable volume pump chamber between said plunger and said one end of the said cylinder, an inlet valve disposed in said cylinder for limited axial movement substantially less than the reciprocato-ry stroke of the plunger into and from seating relation with respect to said inlet port, said plunger being formed with an axial opening therein, said inlet valve having an axially extending valve stem .atiixed thereto and slidably received in said opening, said pump defining an outlet passage communicating with said pump chamber and including outlet valve means in -said passage for permitting an outliow only of iiuid from the pump chamber, said opening constituting a part of said outlet passage, said outlet valve means being disposed in said last mentioned |opening concentrically to said valve stem, said outlet valve means frictionally engaging said Valve stem and yieldably interconnecting said valve stem and Said plunger for axial movement together to seat and unseat said inlet valve responsive to reciprocation of said plunger.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 10/1869 Gates 103-188 12/1962 Thompson. 

1. A PUMP COMPRISING A PUMP CYLINDER HAVING AN INLET PORT OPENING AXIALLY THROUGH ONE END THEREOF, A PLUNGER DISPOSED FOR RECIPROCATION IN SAID CYLINDER AND THEREWITH DEFINING A VARIABLE VOLUME PUMP CHAMBER BETWEEN SAID PLUNGER AND SAID ONE END, AN INLET VALVE DISPOSED IN SAID CYLINDER FOR LIMITED AXIAL MOVEMENT INTO AND FROM SEATING RELATION WITH RESPECT OT SAID INLET PORT, SAID PLUNGER BEING FORMED WITH AN AXIAL OPENING THERETHROUGH DEFINING PART OF AN OUTLET PASSAGE FROM SAID PUMP CHAMBER, SAID INLET VALVE HAVING AN AXIALLY EXTENDING VALVE STEM FIXED THERETO AND SLIDABLY RECEIVED IN SAID OPENING, AN OUTLET VALVE IN SAID OPENING SURROUNDING AND FRICTIONALLY SLIDABLY ENGAGING SAID INLET VALVE STEM, MEANS ESTABLISHING A POSITIVE DRIVING CONNECTION BETWEEN SAID PLUNGER AND SAID OUTLET IN BOTH DIRECTIONS OF RECIPROCATION OF THE PLUNGER, AND MEANS IN SAID CYLINDER FOR LIMITING THE AXIAL UNSEATING MOVEMENT OF SAID INLET VALVE. 